Donovan Hellickson

Donovan 'Don' Arnold Hellickson was born April 15, 1924, in Minneapolis, MN to Arnold and Hulda (Kohn) Hellickson. He was baptized in the Bloomfield Lutheran Church in Ostrander, MN, and was also confirmed there. He was united in marriage to Evelyn Weber on June 22, 1944, at Zion Lutheran Church in Sanborn. Don was drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944 and served for 18 months in Okinawa, Philippines, as a platoon sergeant. After his honorable discharge, the couple farmed near Jeffers and later worked on a farm near Gibbon. The couple returned to farm near Sanborn until 1954 when they moved to Sleepy Eye. He was a partner in a Minneapolis Moline and Pontiac dealership until 1957. They returned to Sanborn and farmed until 1962 when they purchased the Dairy Queen in Sanborn and started Hellickson Soft Water. They owned and operated the Dairy Queen until 1977 when he started working for a Sanborn implement business until 1981. Don and Evelyn did the custodial work at Zion Lutheran Church and School for many years. Don was united in marriage to Lorraine Haak on June 5, 2005. He trucked soft water until a few years ago when he hired someone to do the hauling and he occasionally rode along. In 2010 the water business was sold to grandson Joshua Brown and his wife Franny of St. James. Don and Lorraine lived at the Sanborn Corners until May of 2011 when they moved into Sanborn. The end of May Don suffered a stroke and was at St. John Nursing Home from June through August. In September he moved to St. James where he lived with Cheryl Gene. He enjoyed being in the country, the constant coming and going of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and watching the happenings at John Deere Implement across the highway. January 19, 2012, he moved to Valley View Manor. Don was a member of Zion Lutheran Church, the church choir, and the Sanborn Community Club. The American Legion played a very important part in Don's life. He was a member of Colburn American Legion Post #286 in Sanborn for 66 years. Don served as Adjutant for 26 years and Commander in 1968 and 1982. He was Redwood County Council Adjutant in1971-72. At the district level, Don served as Membership Director, Vice-commander and was 2nd District Commander in 1993-94. In 1995-96 he was Department Membership director and was a Department Vice-Commander in 2001-02. He enjoyed fishing with his brothers, playing cards, dancing, playing his accordion and harmonica, and just being with people. Don Hellickson died Monday, May 7, 2012, at Valley View Manor in Lamberton at the age of 88 years. He is survived by wife Lorraine of Sanborn; sons- Leon and wife Jean Hellickson of Albert Lea, and Dale and wife Kristine Hellickson of St. Cloud; daughter Cheryl and husband Eugene Brown of St. James; 12 grandchildren- Lisa, Sandy, and Kim; Krysti, Heidi and Brent; Deric, Clint, Joshua, Mykia, Samantha, and Izaac; 22 great-grandchildren; 1 great-great-grandchild; brothers- Gerald (Elaine) Hellickson of Preston, and Richard (Geraldine) Hellickson of Preston; sister Marlene McKenzie of Preston; and sister-in-law LaVonne Hellickson of Preston. He was preceded in death by his parents; wife Evelyn in 2004; brothers- Duwaine, Robert, and Lesley; and sister Ardith Ristau. In lieu of flowers, memorials are preferred to the Second District Commander/President Project which is items for the Luverne Veterans Home. First Visitation 4:00 pm - 7:00 pm Friday, May 11, 2012 Sturm Funeral Home, Springfield 407 N. Jackson Springfield, Minnesota, United States 56087 Second Visitation 9:30 am - 10:30 am Saturday, May 12, 2012 Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church 105 Sounth St. Sanborn, Minnesota, United States 56083 Service Information 10:30 am Saturday, May 12, 2012 Zion Evangelical Lutheran Church 105 Sounth St. Sanborn, Minnesota, United States 56083